890d.00/377
The Consul at Damascus (Keeley) to
the Secretary of State
Damascus, March 3,
1926.
[Received April 28.]
No. 329
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my despatches
Nos. 285 and 296 of October 26 and December 4, 1925, respectively,69 in so far as they
deal with representations to the French Authorities respecting the
protection of foreigners in general and Americans in particular residing
in Damascus, and to report the following additional developments along
this line.
On February 9, 1926, at the instigation of this office, the Consular
Corps addressed a note to M. Pierre Alype, Envoy Extraordinary in
Damascus of the French High Commissioner, inviting his attention to the
ease with which the rebels had recently been circulating in Damascus
where they had kidnapped various persons and possessed themselves of
their belongings. It was pointed out that there appeared to be nothing
to prevent the same thing being done to foreigners, and he was requested
to inform the Consuls whether or not he thought the condition of
security in the city warranted any modification in the opinion expressed
by General Soulé, the predecessor of General Andréa, and communicated to
the Consuls on December 1, 1925, (see Enclosure No. 5 with despatch No.
296 of December 4, 1925) to see effect that the situation did not then
seem to warrant advising foreigners to evacuate the city. A copy of the
Consular Corps’ note, in French and in translation, is transmitted
herewith.
[Page 137]
On February 19, 1926, M. Alype transmitted to the Dean of the Consular
Corps a copy of General Andréa’s reply, dated February 13, 1926, to the
questions raised in the Consular Corps’ note. Copies of each of these
communications are transmitted herewith. They are self-explanatory.
Being unable to share General Andréa’s optimistic view of the situation
as expressed in his letter, and the potential danger to Americans having
been subsequently increased by the anti-Christian and anti-foreign
feeling aroused by the action of Armenian irregulars who were sent into
the Meidan Quarter on February 15th ostensibly against the rebels
occupying that quarter … this Consulate on February 22, 1926, addressed
a further note to M. Alype. A copy of the note, in English and in
translation, is transmitted herewith.
It is believed that the Department will find my note of February 22nd
self-explanatory. In order to avoid a possible misinterpretation of my
motive in referring to the use of Armenian irregulars, however, it may
be well to point out that it was from their use that Moslem feeling had
become aroused to such an extent that a massacre of all Christians was
not beyond probability and was thwarted not so much by any preventive
action of the French Authorities as by the attitude of the more
enlightened Moslems who, some because they realized the inexpediency of
a massacre, others because they were really opposed to it on ethical
grounds, counseled moderation to their coreligionists.
On February 25, 1926, not having received any response to my
communication of the 22nd to the French Authorities, I addressed all
Americans in Damascus individually, advising them to leave the city and
district. A copy of one of these letters is transmitted herewith.70
Certain of the more loquacious members of the American colony upon
receiving my letter proceeded to divulge its contents to their native
friends with the result that within a few hours my advice to my
nationals was quite generally known in the city and was being
exaggerated by repetition.
Saturday morning, February 27, 1926, I received a personal note from
General Andréa asking me whether I would be good enough to call upon him
to discuss the matter of protecting my nationals. I called at three in
the afternoon and passed an hour with the General who took up my letter
of February 22nd point by point with me. He went into great detail in
explaining the military measures taken for the defense of the city and
assured me that he was prepared to guarantee foreigners in general and
Americans in particular from the danger of any important attack from
without and from serious disorders within the city.
[Page 138]
General Andréa made no reference to the letter advising Americans to
leave the city, but being certain that he either then knew of it or
would soon learn of it and perhaps misconstrue its intent, I broached
the subject, showed him a copy of the letter and translated its
contents. His previous cordial manner changed to a formal reserve as he
pointed out that, diplomatically speaking, the letter was really a
reflection upon his administration in that it declared the city to be
unsafe, whereas he had just shown me that it was safe. I pointed out his
admitted inability to guarantee Americans against the danger of stray
shots which have recently killed a number of innocent pedestrians, and
for that reason alone, if for no other, the warning to Americans was
justified.
After a further exchange of opinions and friendly discussion of the
rebellion, he became more cordial again, and as we parted he assured me
that the safety of my nationals would be one of his chief concerns, that
he would notify me immediately of impending danger, and that in the
event of serious disorder within the city he would send a special guard
to the Consulate for its protection and for that of any Americans who
might take refuge there.
Yesterday I received from M. Alype his reply, dated March 1, 1926, to my
note of February 22, 1926. A copy of M. Alype’s letter, in French and in
translation, is transmitted herewith. It is self-explanatory.
I agree with M. Alype’s admission in the fifth [fourth] paragraph of his letter of March 1, 1926, to the
effect that the situation in Damascus is still serious and must be
followed with attention. I am pleased to report, however, that the
situation within the city has ameliorated since my note of February 22,
1926, was written, but I cannot conscientiously grant that there is as
complete security for foreign nationals established in Damascus as M.
Alype would have me believe. I have no intention, however, of pursuing
the discussion further with the Authorities along abstract lines, and I
have therefore merely thanked M. Alype and General Andréa for their
detailed exposition of the case, assuring them at the same time of my
sincere desire to cooperate with them fully in this part of their
difficult task.
I trust that the Department will approve the course pursued by me as
outlined herein, since I am of the opinion that it, together with Mr.
Knabenshue’s representations direct to the High Commissioner, has
aroused the French Authorities locally to a better appreciation of their
responsibility with respect to our nationals, a responsibility for which
they have not on all occasions shown due regard.
I have [etc.]
[Page 139]
[Enclosure
1—Translation]
The Dean of the Consular Corps at Damascus
(Smart)71
to the Envoy Extraordinary at Damascus
(Alype)
of the French High Commissioner to the States
of Syria and the Lebanon (De
Jouvenel)
Damascus, February 9,
1926.
Mr. Envoy Extraordinary: I am charged by
the Consular Corps to make known to you its anxiety on the subject
of the actual situation in the city of Damascus. While fully
considering the momentary difficulties confronting the Authorities,
the Consular Corps believes it necessary to point out the
possibility of danger for the foreign colonies.
The foreigners are very much scattered in the city, and, for the most
part, are not found in the limited zone that is covered by the
troops. Recently, bands have circulated quite frequently in many
quarters of the city, where they have carried away various persons
and their belongings. It seems that nothing prevents these bands
from doing the same with respect to the foreigners.
General Soulé in his letter No. 9335/1 of November 30 addressed to
the Delegate, who communicated it to me as Dean under cover of his
letter No. 9335 bis of the same date, expressed the opinion that the
situation did not indicate that foreigners should be advised to
leave the city. The Consular Corps would be grateful to you to be
good enough to let it know if this advice should be modified in view
of the present situation.
Meanwhile, the Consular Corps hopes that the Mandatory Authorities
will take the necessary measures to assure the foreigners against
the dangers, above-mentioned.
Accept [etc.]
[Enclosure
2—Translation]
The Envoy Extraordinary at Damascus
(Alype)
of the French High Commissioner to the States
of Syria and the Lebanon (De Jouvenel) to the Dean of the Consular Corps at Damascus
(Smart)
Damascus, February 19,
1926.
No. 2924/C
Mr. Dean: The 9th of February last, you
were good enough to call my attention to the anxiety of the Consular
Corps on the present situation in Damascus.
I hastened to bring this matter to the attention of General Andréa,
and I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a copy of his
answer.
I add that the fate of the foreign colonies is the object of all the
solicitude of the Mandatory Power in Syria, and I beg you to accept,
Mr. Dean, the assurance of my high consideration.
[Page 140]
[Subenclosure—Translation72]
The General Commanding the Troops of the Region
of Damascus and of the Djebel Druse (Andréa) to the Envoy Extraordinary at Damascus (Alype) of the French High Commissioner to the States of
Syria and the Lebanon (De
Jouvenel)
Damascus, February 13,
1926.
No. /2
The kidnapping of persons to which the Dean of the Consular Corps
refers has not failed to attract every attention of the Command.
The works of defense now in progress will make it possible within two
weeks to prevent bands from entering the inner quarters which
represent, after all, the most important part of the city. The
elimination of the troublesome elements will follow.
Only the Meidan-Akrad and Mohajrin quarters will be left outside the
barbed wire entanglements. Their defense will be entrusted to three
groups of 50 partisans each.
I consider that, under these circumstances, the security of the
foreign nationals will be adequately assured, and I cannot in
consequence modify the advice previously expressed by General
Soulé.
[Enclosure
3—Translation]
The American Consul at Damascus (Keeley) to the Envoy Extraordinary at Damascus
(Alype)
of the French High Commissioner to the States
of Syria and the Lebanon (De
Jouvenel)
Damascus, February 22,
1926.
Sir: I have the honor to refer to your
letter No. 2924/C of February 19, 1926, addressed to the Dean of the
Consular Corps, transmitting a copy of General Andréa’s reply to the
Consular Corps’ note of February 9, 1926, respecting the anxiety of
the Consuls for the safety of their nationals because of the
condition of public security in Damascus.
The danger from the activities of the bands which prompted the
Consular Corps’ note of February 9, 1926, has now been added to by
the natural reaction against foreigners and Christians as a result
of the recent activities of the Circassian and Armenian partisans in
certain sections of the city.
Despite the optimistic tone of General Andréa’s communication, I feel
sure that neither he nor you can now be unaware of the gravity of
the present situation in Damascus or of the fact that further
religious animosity and hatred of foreigners cannot fail to result
from a continued use of Armenian partisans against the Moslems.
[Page 141]
While being sincerely appreciative of the solicitude for the safety
of foreigners expressed by yourself and taking into account the
measures of defense which General Andréa believes will eventually
assure the security of foreigners, I regret to record that I am yet
unable to view the situation with optimism. From information which I
can no longer ignore I am forced to conclude that the present
situation in Damascus is more serious than at any previous time. I
must request, therefore, that adequate measures be taken immediately
to safeguard the lives and property of American citizens, for the
protection of which the Mandatory Government will be held strictly
accountable.
In order to assist the Mandatory Authorities in this difficult task
should grave disorders break out in the city an effort will be made
to gather as many Americans as possible under the shelter of this
Consulate.
I shall be grateful, therefore, to you and to General Andréa if you
will advise me immediately of the start of any serious
disorders.
A similar request addressed to your predecessor prior to the outbreak
in October73 elicited assurances that Americans
would be fully protected and that this Consulate would be promptly
informed of the least sign of danger … I trust that you will
understand, therefore, that this letter is prompted by solicitude
for my nationals and by a sincere desire to cooperate fully with the
French Authorities with the difficulty of whose task I am fully
sympathetic.
I avail myself [etc.]
[Enclosure 4—Translation74]
The Envoy Extraordinary at Damascus
(Alype)
of the French High Commissioner to the States
of Syria and the Lebanon (De Jouvenel) to the American Consul at Damascus (Keeley)
Damascus, March 1,
1926.
No. 5080/SP
Mr. Consul: You were good enough to invite
my attention to the apprehension which the political situation in
Damascus has caused you, and to the dangers that seemed to you would
result to the Christian elements of this city, whether of Syrian
origin or of foreign nationality.
Already, in a note which was transmitted to me by the Consular Corps
on February 9, you made known to me your anxiety. I answered
assuring you that General Andréa had taken sufficient military
measures so that no threats could be put into execution in respect
to your nationals dwelling in town and so that they would [Page 142] suffer no more from the
repercussions of acts of banditry in the interior of Damascus.
General Andréa, to whom I communicated your letter of February 22,
informs me that the apprehensions of which you make yourself the
interpreter do not seem to him to correspond any longer to the
present situation. After the clearing operations in the Meidan
Quarter where a great number of bandits were killed, a certain
agitation had, in fact, manifested itself among the Moslems against
the Armenians and the Christians in general, but the measures taken
immediately by the responsible authorities, as well as the advice to
be calm which was given to the delegation of the notables, have
greatly abated this feeling. You have yourself been able to note a
conspicuous resumption of commercial activity.
I do not pretend that the situation in Damascus must not be followed
with attention. It is still serious. General Andréa carries on very
actively the work for the defense of the outskirts of the city. The
barbed wire entanglement is completed and will be further
strengthened.
This wirework, perfectly commanded at all points by the machine-gun
fire from the barrage posts, is already a very effective guarantee
against the incursions of bands into the interior of the city.
To prevent any insurrectionary movement in the city itself, strong
patrols composed of French soldiers, commanded by officers of our
army and aided by gendarmes, policemen and partisans, patrol, night
and day, the different quarters.
General Andréa considers, under these circumstances, that he will be
kept accurately in touch with the state of mind of the population,
and will be able, in case of necessity, to take immediate measures
which will enable him to maintain order and peace.
I am glad to bring this information to your knowledge, and I hope it
will allay the apprehension which you have manifested. The French
Authority assumes at this moment the responsibility of maintaining
order in Syria, and its first care is to see that a security as
complete as possible, in view of events, be given to the foreign
nationals settled in Damascus.
You will be good enough to grant that it is not lacking.
Accept [etc.]
